Most Accurate Bolt Gun for LEO Use

Ok my department is now allowing us to use personal firearms for duty use and due to a reason issues we have faced I am looking at a .308 caliber bolt gun with a 18-20" barrel. I want the most accurate system out to about 100yds with a decent trigger. Any suggestions I know about the 700 SPS but know I will also need to spend about the price of the gun on the optic so trying to keep the rifle under $800.

So you're going to spend your own money rather than have the dpt buy your duty firearms?

PFCLEE11B

October 12, 2013, 05:54 PM

they wont buy us anything... heck i had to buy my own duty gear. The handgun is a SIG 226 in .357 that is over a decade old. The only reason we have ARs is because of a previous incident that was used as practical blackmail to get.

Kachok

October 12, 2013, 05:58 PM

Savage, FN, Sako and AI all have solid reputations at varying levels of price. Remington used to be a top choice as well but QC issues are eating their lunch right now, I would wait for CCM to sell them off before buying a new one.

HexHead

October 12, 2013, 07:45 PM

Weatherby Vanguard Series 2 are guaranteed to shoot sub-MOA. The synthetic runs about $500.

http://www.weatherby.com/product/rifles/vanguard_2/carbine

They also make a Threat Response model, but that's going to run about $1,000.

CarJunkieLS1

October 12, 2013, 08:11 PM

Any quality bolt action rifle will do what you need it to do. I agree with staying away from remington the rifles they put out today are not what they were 10 years ago. A .308 Winchester is an inherently accurate cartridge that is light on recoil also. Will your PD let you make your own ammunition? If they do then with enough testing it won't be hard to make any quality rifle accurate. I suggest a Tikke T3 lite easy on the pocket book very accurate and a lite package to carry around.

redneck2

October 12, 2013, 08:25 PM

I have two CZ's, a .22 and a .204 Ruger, and both are exceptionally accurate. Both have the single set trigger. I'm sure there are CZ's that don't shoot well, but I've never heard of one.

As noted, there are quite a few factory rifles that will do what you need. I'd look thru the used guns at any local shop. Wish I'd have seen this about two months ago. I traded in a Savage bolt that shot sub 1". I think I got $300 credit and it was nearly unfired.

I wouldn't get too carried away about scopes. Charles Whitman center-punched a guy near me, using a Weaver K-4. I stepped it off, later. 420 yards.

Heck, 7X is plenty nuff for prairie dogs at 300...

jmr40

October 12, 2013, 09:15 PM

The Tikka would be something to look at in your budget, but to get the barrel length you want it would have to be cut.

Something else to consider is the Savage Hog Hunter. It has a medium heavy 20" barrel with iron sights. Is threaded for a supressor if you ever decide to go that way. The blind magazine could be an issue. It is the same basic rifle as the Precision Carbine. Look under specialty series for the hog hunter, Law enforcenemt series for the Precision Carbine.

http://savagearms.com/firearms/models/

I wouldn't rule out the Remington either. They have had issues, but the foundation for a great rifle is there and even with their issues most turn out just fine. Plenty of options for better aftermarket stocks, etc. in the future.

DRYHUMOR

October 12, 2013, 09:21 PM

Something like this with the 40X trigger might work for you.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=370599159

Remington will tell you when a rifle was built if you call customer service with the serial number.

Winchester Stealth rifles are good also. As are FNH Patrol rifles.

yzguy87

October 12, 2013, 11:47 PM

If I was in your shoes I would look at the Savage 10 precision carbine. I have never seen a bad review for one (not saying Savage is perfect). Also I have first hand experience with a Savage 10 fcp-k that was great.
The precision carbine fits you criteria and I'm confident that it would be reliable too.

bayjoe

October 12, 2013, 11:53 PM

I would shop for a 1970's or 80's Remington model 700 VS. They will do anything you need.

rayatphonix

October 13, 2013, 06:44 AM

I got a new Remington 700 SPS Tactical for under $600. Once I found the load it likes, it'll shoot less than 1" groups at 100 yards all day long. 1/2" groups if I'm on my game. I adjusted the trigger and am very happy with it. I've got several Tikkas and while they are my preferred hunting gun, they don't shoot any better than the SPS. Maybe I got lucky but in any case, I'm very happy.

blarby

October 13, 2013, 07:23 AM

If you could spend a teency bit more, Ruger has some exciting accuracy...and now, Removable high cap magazines !

You actually have a use for tacticoool.... And the scout is very durable, and quite compact- great for your application.

I think the scout screams tactical urban use, not just brush.

hentown

October 13, 2013, 09:26 AM

I certainly wouldn't spend a bunch on a scope, if you're only going to be making 100-yd-max shots. Take a look at the excellent Bushnell Elite series. I have one with mil dots, but that's irrelevant for 100-yd shooting.

If you can get a Tikka with the barrel length that you want, then get a Tikka; otherwise, any of the others mentioned will work fine for you.

redneck2

October 13, 2013, 10:11 AM

I certainly wouldn't spend a bunch on a scope, if you're only going to be making 100-yd-max shots. Take a look at the excellent Bushnell Elite series. I have one with mil dots, but that's irrelevant for 100-yd shooting.Don't know what you consider "a bunch", but two things that could be highly important in this situation are holding zero and clarity in poor light. Those are notorious poor points of low end scopes.

I would agree with the Elite suggestion. I have two, and they should fit the bill. IMO, the new Leupold VX-3's are significantly superior in clarity.

Centurian22

October 13, 2013, 10:15 AM

I'll vote savage. I have been very happy with my Axis XP in .308 and have gotten 1" groups at 100 yards with Sierra Gold Metal Match. For 'duty work' I would probably upgrade to the model 10 or 110 though I believe those are 20", that hog hunter might not be a bad idea either. Look over the savage web page to check out all the different options and see what fits your requirements.

BSA1

October 13, 2013, 10:20 AM

First of all why are to coming to a general forum for something as important as a LEO sniper weapon?

The key points I would for are synthetic / gas bedded stock and a crisp adjustable trigger.

Also I disagree with the comments about not investing in a high quality scope. This is why coming to a non LEO forum is a bad idea as most posters don' t understand how small the margin of error is in a hostage situation. Your rifle is going to take a real beating bouncing around in the trunk of your car everyday and it is going to take a high quality scope to hold it's zero.

back40

October 13, 2013, 10:29 AM

i'm wondering why someone who may be deployed in a sharpshooting/sniper role even needs to ask about equipment.

what equipment did you train/qualify on? what is your background/experience in this role?

and yes, even though you are likely to only see shots under 100yds, and most any rifle capable of moa accuracy will do, your glass need to be up to par. cheaping out on the scope simply because you aren't taking long range shots is a bad idea.

Robert

October 13, 2013, 10:47 AM

Surly your department has a list of approved firearms for duty use. It may cover a range or weapons but they should have a list. Unless we are talking about a tiny department.

HexHead

October 13, 2013, 11:38 AM

If the department is making it's officers buy their own firearms, chances are it's a small department

Rat Robb

October 13, 2013, 11:45 AM

If the department doesn't have money to arm you, what else doesn't it have money for??

If you get a 700, make sure its before they went to that horrible X-Mark Pro Trigger. I have a 700P (police) and I can shoot it sub MOA at 600 yds, Im no pro by any mean either.

-Robb

jim243

October 13, 2013, 11:46 AM

Hummmm, personal weapon for duty use? This is a personal opinion but the Savage Accutrigger is best out there and their rifles are known for being accurate right out of the box. If allowed I would opt for the 243 Winchester as caliber, very flat shooting, excellent range 600 meters and beyond and super accurate ammo available for it.

What is strange is that unless you are a member of a swat team, your duty AR should be sufficient for most encounters that you will come upon.

As to scopes, the Vortex Viper or Mueller are excellent scopes but pricey. Also you will need to spend about $125.00 on a decent case to protect the rifle and scope while in transit.

Jim

BSA1

October 13, 2013, 12:48 PM

Don't overlook that the rifle and scope are only PART of the system. The other important parts are premium ammunition that will consistently shoot sub-moa groups, the willingness of the shooter to practice regularly (At least once a month under all types of weather conditions) and since this is a small department the willingness to spend personal funds for the equipment, ammunition and time to achieve the necessary level of training.

The margin of error for a police sharpshooter is 1" and you only have one shot to get the job done without injury to hostages.

C-grunt

October 13, 2013, 01:07 PM

The last thing I would do on a scoped LE rifle is do it cheaply. Especially if you already have an AR.

The minimum I would do is a Remington 700 LTR with a Vortex Viper PST and then have it professionally bedded and a good trigger installed.

If you are in a situation where you can't make the shot with you AR, like a longer ranger hostage situation, you need a rifle that can thread a needle.

The_Armed_Therapist

October 13, 2013, 03:05 PM

Accuracy out to 100 yards? Any bolt gun in .308 with 18-20" barrel will work. You won't need to be shooting any dimes, right?

vaupet

October 13, 2013, 03:30 PM

If 100 yards is max range needed, I would think any bolt would shoot 'minute of bad-guy.

FN SPR is very nice, build with LE in mind of the pre 64 winchester model 70 action with CRF (spr stands for special police rifle)

gunnutery

October 13, 2013, 04:49 PM

I've got a Savage 10FP tactical in .308 pre-accutrigger. It does really well and I would recommend them. I offered to use mine for my department if they'd send me to the sniper/observer school. However I stipulated that the department reimburse me if I had to use it and it got seized by the state investigative agency. My cheif declined the opportunity.

I don't know the full extent of your agency's AR usage or your policy on taking shots more than 100yds, but if you're looking at any other caliber, check out the Mossberg MVP that is able to use AR mags, that way in a pinch you could share ammo and mags. .223 at 100 yds will do the job, though in a more precise weapon I would prefer .308 too for extra barrier penetration.

nastynatesfish

October 13, 2013, 08:11 PM

Why not a different caliber? If 100 yds is average. Why not a something low recoil and light. I built a 260 with a. 24" AAC barrel in a houge full block stock. Shoots 123s great and no recoil. I'd buy a savage. Triggers are great stock, aluminum bedding, and accurate

Kachok

October 13, 2013, 09:39 PM

You probably don't NEED M24 level accuracy out to 1,000 yards. Just a cheap Savage 11 would do everything you would need. I have a Savage 110 30-06 I got for $386 NIB with a scope that shoots honest to God 1/2" groups with boring regularity using cheap soft point hunting bullets, at 200 yards I could pick which eye to shoot Mr Bad Guy through, do you really need more then that?

taliv

October 13, 2013, 09:53 PM

anything that will hold 1" or better at 100 would be fine. you should know your limits. if you are in a hostage situation that requires you to keep a 2" or better group, you should probably NOT pull the trigger.

i don't know anybody working on police salary that can afford the ammo to train enough to make shots like that, much less the cost of travel and class fees for competent instructors. even in a small dept, the liability of making a hostage shot with your one-off own weapon would seem prohibitive.

btw, i've seen lots and lots of swat snipers shoot. if i'm ever in a hostage situation, just pay them the money! don't take the shot! even if the bad guy is 2 feet from me! thanks!

SwissArmyDad

October 14, 2013, 12:08 PM

How about the new Mossberg mvp in 5.56 or .308?

If 5.56 you could use your AR mags while on patrol if needed...

Inebriated

October 14, 2013, 05:01 PM

I would be inclined to say that the Savage Precision Carbine might be just what you're looking for. 20" heavy barrel, AccuTrigger, AccuStock (quite a bit nicer than any other synthetic stock Savage puts out), sub-MOA at 100, and comes in around $700 in either .223 or .308. Throw an SWFA of some flavor on top and a Harris underneath, and you'll have an excellent little rifle.

rodregier

October 14, 2013, 07:58 PM

In a related vein, a prospective police marksman would be well-served to try and read a copy of "After The Echo" just to get a sense of the challenges they will face in that specific role. Unfortunate it's out of print.

Remington SPS Tac. put it in a Bell an Carlson "light tac." stock and put a Super Sniper 3 by 9 to 40 FFP or low powered Trijicon or Leupold 1.5-5 and it make a fine patrol rifle..

another pake

October 26, 2013, 01:33 PM

Wow, so many things about this scenario of public employees using personal gear trouble me. Yes I know, it happens a lot. Until my retirement I worked in an under funded government position. But as has already been stated, usually there is an "approved" list, especially for things as potentially litigious as firearms. Usually the employer, through their attorney, has thought through these things. If not in your case, please exercise extreme caution. Who has YOUR back?

barnbwt

October 26, 2013, 09:49 PM

"Accuracy out to 100 yards? Any bolt gun in .308 with 18-20" barrel will work. You won't need to be shooting any dimes, right?"
This x1000. Why would a police sniper need to do anything beyond what a proficient hunter does? 4" hit area. We're not talking shooting the hammer off the bad-guy's pistol at a hundred yards, while he's got a hostage wrapped around him, are we? :D

Given the liability of any officer involved shooting (let alone an ordered strike) it seems highly irresponsible that a "good hit" would be reliant on anything other than basic skill. Same rules as hunting; no unethical (or "risky") shots